Aviva Equity Release Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

Lexsure’s COMPLETIONmonitor is an online pre- and post-completion checklist for residential conveyancing lawyers. Supported by the Council of Mortgage Lenders and PI insurers such as AmTrust. COMPLETIONmonitor is a unique risk management tool.

This system is the only way you can demonstrate to lender panels that you are, and can remain fully compliant with their instructions, with alerts on Aviva Equity Release’s changes. Notwithstanding that using the software is not a prerequisite for Aviva Equity Release , demonstrating you can remain up to date with Aviva Equity Release’s Handbook requirements is an excellent support to your panel application and, just as importantly, protect your panel standing.

COMPLETIONmonitor creates real-time alerts, automatically produces SRA and CQS reports, and will improve your firm's efficiency. It is also user friendly, cost-effective and, for many firms, results in reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by Aviva Equity Release

Lenders often vary their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from Aviva Equity Release are not guidelines, they are instructions from a client. As with many clients, instructions can change - and they do change, over time:

A Timeline of Policy Changes


Since 2008, Aviva Equity Release has made 98 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 27.9 days. In total, 20% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Aviva Equity Release have been changed since 15/12/2008.

To find out more about lender panel compliance,

Book a Personalised Demo

Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
6.14.1d 01/12/2014 CML
maximum excess re building insurance
6.14.2 01/12/2014 CML
requirement that all insurance risks are included
6.14.3 01/12/2014 CML
notification of non-renewal/cancellation for buildings insurance policy
3.1.5 01/12/2014 CML
ID Documentation
Aviva Equity Release UK Ltd panel lawyers requirements re ID Documentation: Further acceptable documents (if any)
6.7.1 06/06/2012 CML
New Build Conveyancing
Aviva Equity Release UK Ltd panel conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : Home Warranty Schemes
17.2.1b 28/03/2011 CML
Evidence of Discharge of Mortgage
Do Aviva Equity Release UK Ltd send the discharge via a DS 1 form or direct with the Land Registry?
5.15.2b 28/03/2011 CML
Leasehold Conveyancing : Management Company
Aviva Equity Release UK Ltd panel lawyers leasehold conveyancing requirements : requirement as to whether a copy of the management company share certificate needs to be sent to them
5.7.1a 28/03/2011 CML
Flying Freeholds
Aviva Equity Release UK Ltd panel lawyers clarification as to whether they lend on flying freeholds
Flying Freehold Indemnity Insurance
5.5.1b 01/12/2010 CML
conveyancing requirements in terms of time for building regulation consents
6.6.1 17/02/2010 CML
contact point if property is let/to be let and to check lender requirements on buy-to-let

Last update 26/03/2019

FAQs : The Aviva Equity Release Conveyancing Panel from members of the public

We are purchasing a 3 bedroom apartment in Newcastle with a mortgage from Aviva Equity Release. We like our lawyer but Aviva Equity Release says he's not on their "panel". It seems we have little choice but to instruct one of the Aviva Equity Release panel firms or keep our solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?
Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Aviva Equity Release
Our lawyer has discovered a problem with the lease for the apartment we are purchasing. The other side have offered title insurance as a solution. We are happy with insurance and will pay for it. Our solicitor has advised that as he is on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel he must be satisfied that the lender is happy with this solution. Who is the client here, us or Aviva Equity Release?
Just because you have a mortgage offer from Aviva Equity Release does not mean to say that the property will be meet their requirements for the purposes of a mortgage. Your lawyer has to ensure that the lease has to comply with the CML Handbook Requirements. You and Aviva Equity Release are the client. These conveyancing instructions must be adhered to by the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel who has to balance acting for you and Aviva Equity Release
Do all the firms listed on your directory have online case tracking as I understood that this was a condition of being on the Aviva Equity Release solicitor panel?
No. There is no CML Part 2 or Building Society Association requirement relating to online case tracking. Some law firms operate such technology and some don't.
My house is up for sale and I have a buyer. Does my solicitor have to be on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel in order to deal with redeeming my mortgage?
Ordinarily, even if your lawyer is not on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel they can still act for you on your sale. it might be that the lender will not release the original deeds (if applicable and increasingly irrelevant) until after the mortgage is paid off. You should speak to your lawyer directly before you start the process though to ensure that there is no problem as lenders are changing their requirements fairly frequently at the moment.
We were going to get a DIP from Aviva Equity Release this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we are dependent on web based calculators (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc).Do the Aviva Equity Release recommend a solicitor on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently
You will need to appoint solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and the Aviva Equity Release through the process.
I can not work out if my mortgage offer obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date . I have telephoned Aviva Equity Release on numerous occasions and told it wasn't a problem and they would lend. My solicitor - who is on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told not they would not lend in accordance with their CML Handbook minimum lease term requirements. Who do I believe?
As long as the conveyancer is on the Aviva Equity Release panel she or he must comply with the CML Handbook requirements for Aviva Equity Release. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that Aviva Equity Release will go ahead your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask Aviva Equity Release to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the remaining number of years left on the lease.
Intending to buy a flat with a mortgage with Aviva Equity Release. I have received an online quote from a licensed conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Lender if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that they are on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel